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Most of our collections for wedding coverage come with an engagement session. Although you may have had photos taken in the past, there is a huge benefit to working with your wedding photographer so they can get to know you and your unique relationship the best! These are wonderful experiences for both us and our clients to get to know each other before the wedding day. I've worked on a full guide to help you with how to approach these sessions and make the most of our time together!
Once you have booked with us, we'll reach out to start planning when you'd like to shoot! For some couples, you may want to do this immediately to prepare for Save the Date cards or wedding websites. Other couples want to shoot during specific times of year (for weather, temperature or specific blooming trees). It's always good to have an idea of what you envision your photos to look like so we can help guide you on the best times to shoot, keeping in mind rainy seasons, daylight and heat.
how to prepare for your session
The second step to planning your session is to select your location. My favorite thing to ask is, 'if you have the entire day to yourselves, where would you find yourselves?'. This will help guide me on some ideas that you may not have thought of! Your session should be uniquely about you - so if you wouldn't necessarily stroll through a garden on a day off, it wouldn't be our first choice of a spot that is meaningful to your relationship. If you're not sure where to start - think about if you'd like more of a city or field vibe. Do you want a spot with history, relationship significance or activities? These will all help guide us on choosing the perfect spot for your session!
Choosing the right location
Putting together your wardrobe
We recommend putting together 2 outfits - one more casual and one more dressy. But this is all about you - so if you have specific styles you love, then you should incorporate them! Nothing is off-limits to us (we're always asked about colors, textures and patterns) - but truly, we want you to look like the best version of yourselves! Personally, I love fabrics with lots of movement for more field/flowery sessions, and sleek modern pieces for a city style.
When is the best time to do the session?
We aim for one hour before sunset (golden hour) for the best lighting and temperature for your session! Keep in mind this often has us starting around 4pm in the winter, and as late as 7:30pm in the summer! Florida rainy season can throw a wrench in our plans, so we'll keep an eye on weather and would usually choose to reschedule with 60% rain or higher. Shooting indoors isn't usually an option without pre-approval and permits, and dark/gray skies can really alter the finished outcome of our editing. So rescheduling is sometimes the most ideal situation!
There are a variety of options in Orlando and the surrounding areas! Below, we've listed a few local favorites with some examples from previous sessions we've done there. Click on any spot to open the gallery!
Our favorite local locations
THE CITY: DOWNTOWN OR ROOFTOP
Park or nature preserve
brewery or activity
winter park
historic areas
beaches
other ideas
We love the parking garage rooftop on Park Avenue for some of the absolute best sunsets in town! City styles lend to more modern, monochromatic wardrobes. However, we love mixing styles and floral prints would give a nice contrast as well!
The City
Downtown areas are perfect for a city vibe and also work particularly well if you like flash photography! Downtown Orlando, downtown Park Avenue, and parking garage rooftops all give us beautiful city options!
All of the examples in this gallery are from Lake Louisa State Park. You'll notice the difference in sun and colors between the fall and the spring.
Parks or Nature Preserve
Our hearts beat for sunsets at nature preserves, like Lake Louisa State Park or Baldwin Park! Seasonally, these locations can be full of different tones and colors, so keep that in mind! We're at the whim of nature - so you can't be afraid of a little "off-roading"!
Special permission from the location may be required before a session, so it's important to reach out and find out what they need before we set a day/time. We also may have to shoot while they're closed or just opening, to avoid patrons.
Brewery or Activity
This is the perfect example of an activity that you would do as a couple! If there's a spot that you'd find yourselves on a day off - that's where we should go! You'll feel the most comfortable, and can even grab a mid-shoot drink! Some other ideas could include kayaking, biking or hiking; getting tattoos together (I've done this one before!); or touring a museum!
Our photographers also know lots of lesser-known secret spots, so if you're loving the area, but want something a little less "popular", let us know and we'll help guide you!
Winter Park
So many of our clients have roots in Winter Park, and we can't deny the beauty of this quaint town! We have no shortage of examples of shoots in the area, and recommend Casa Feliz, Rollins College and Park Avenue as our favorites!
Spots like Bok Tower usually have an entrance fee and closing hours - so you'll want to keep this in mind! Outside of Central FL, we also recommend The Ringling (Sarasota) and Vizcaya Gardens (Miami).
Historic Areas
If you're ok with a little drive, Bok Tower is one of the most beautiful areas in Central Florida and leaves us with beautiful blooms, lush trees and their amazing Carillon tower. Historic areas like this provide a unique "old Florida" perspective that can't be replicated!
Travel fees may apply for Florida beaches, so check with your photographer before deciding on this option. In North Florida, we love Washington Oaks, Palm Coast areas and even St. Augustine to be close to the water! Clearwater and Sarasota give us some of the best spots on the West Coast. Our favorite East Coast beaches are Jetty Park and New Smyrna!
Florida Beaches
We have the most unique opportunity to be able to reach either coast's beaches within hours! Our favorite spot, Jetty Park, is just an hour away and provides the most gorgeous cotton-candy sunsets!
Studio sessions are so fun but also hard because it relies solely on 2 people without the benefit of location changes and angles to shoot from. So bring your best music, fashionable clothes and lots of personality!
Other Ideas
In-home sessions, studio sessions or something we haven't even thought of yet - the sky is the limit and we're completely open to your ideas as well! So pull that inspo you found on Instagram and we'll customize the perfect session for you!
Our photographers love to travel, and engagement sessions are no different for us! New locations are inspiring, and you'll find that we like to spend more time shooting if you choose a travel session. If you're having a destination wedding, consider doing your engagement session a few days prior so you can use the beautiful surroundings of your wedding city!
Our favorite travel locations
great spots in florida: Miami & South Fl
great spots in florida: St. Augustine & North FL
great spots OUTSIDE florida
You'll definitely want to plan with your photographer to have a backup day/plan in case weather isn't cooperating. Sometimes it can just be switching the time by a few hours to allow for a brief bit of rain to pass through. We can usually work through these things really well though!
Miami & South Florida
Rooftops, hotels, murals, beaches and gardens - Miami truly has it all and we love shooting in this vibrant city!
Parking in downtown St. Augustine is sometimes tricky, so don't forget to plan a meeting spot with your photographer! We also love Palm Coast and Washington Oaks State Park and corresponding beaches!
St. Augustine & North FL
Historical old buildings, beautiful waterfront locations and cobblestone roads highlight some of our favorite spots in these beautiful locations!
Gabby and Trey love the mountains and the water, so they chose Carmel-by-the-Sea in Northern California for their engagement experience! Liz and Eddie chose Asheville, NC; and Maggie and Craige chose Jackson Hole (the day before their elopement) to do an engagement session!
Outside Florida
A personal favorite, exploring new cities, towns and locales! This is truly a special experience for both us and our clients! We will spend half a day together checking out some beautiful landscapes together!
We recommend putting together 2 outfits - one more casual and one more dressy. But this is all about you - so if you have specific styles you love, then you should incorporate them! Nothing is off-limits to us (we're always asked about colors, textures and patterns) - but truly, we want you to look like the best version of yourselves! Personally, I love fabrics with lots of movement for more field/flowery sessions, and sleek modern pieces for a city style.
putting together a great wardrobe
Whatever you consider "casual" - is casual! For some people, it may be jeans; for others - a skirt. But possibly consider something with a different silhouette than your second look. So pants for one, a skirt/dress for another. Or something flowy for one look, while the second look might have a more fitted appearance. Don't forget to coordinate style and color with your partner! You don't need to "match", but should look like you're attending the same event together. Sweaters work great, sport coats and chinos or jeans. Dress shirts can even have a more casual appearance - possibly a rolled sleeve, for example!
A casual look
A more formal look
Similar to above, your more formal look can be as "formal" (or not) as you'd like! Some of our couples will go full tux or gown. Others will just do a summer dress or sport coat. You get to make the rules! This is just meant to be a little guidance if you're not sure where to begin. Remember that you should still be comfortable and able to move in whatever outfit you pick!
View our casual wardrobe inspiration
View our formal wardrobe inspiration
Check out our pinterest board for more ideas
Are you a quick changer? Feel free to bring a few options and we can help you narrow down! We can also (sometimes) have time for a quick third look! Gabby tossed on a cute little Wifey sweatshirt for a few shots over her tank top. Trey went with his signature backwards hat! And of course - the beach means barefoot!
Casual Wardrobe Inspo
Easy, simple and comfy looks rule our "casual" wardrobe inspiration! From jeans and sweatshirts, to sweaters and cozy items - whatever you love to wear is perfect for this style!
Don't want to invest in a high-ticket item? Try places like Rent the Runway or Nuuly (Kristen's favorite) for some great options in any style!
Formal Wardrobe Inspo
Just like casual styles, the idea of something more formal depends entirely on you! So grab something that is perfect for an evening out, or a little more dressed up! Keep your location and weather in mind when you're selecting your wardrobe!
Try Nuuly for an inexpensive option for a stylish session!
If you're planning to have your hair and makeup done before the session, make sure you still feel like you! Generally speaking, full bridal glam doesn't translate well for your engagement session unless this is normal for you every day. Ideally, your hair should still have some movement and makeup should feel like the best version of your day-to-day look.
We do not recommend doing any kind of spray tanning prior to your session, as this creates a matte film over your skin. It limits the natural radiance and vibrancy of your skin (and can create unsightly splotches that are expensive to edit!) You will look your most beautiful and glowing in your photos with your natural skin!
